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Gabapentin

The Drug

The Effects

The Risks

The Law

The Drug

OverviewAppearanceUse

Overview

What is gabapentin?Gabapentin is a prescription only medicine used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain (which is the result of damage to nerve tissue which can produce a burning, shooting or scalding feeling).

A prescription only medicine can only be prescribed following a consultation with a doctor.

Gabapentin can produce feelings of relaxation, calmness and euphoria and has been reported by some to cause stimulant effects. It can also enhance the euphoric effects of other drugs, like opiates, and is likely to increase the risks when taken in this way.

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Appearance

Gabapentin is manufactured as either white, yellow or orange capsules and tablets.

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Use

Gabapentin capsules and tablets are normally swallowed, but there have been reports of the powder from gabapentin capsules being snorted.

The Effects

What are the effects of gabapentin?Gabapentin can produce feelings of relaxation, calmness and euphoria. Some users have reported that the ‘high’ from snorted gabapentin can be similar to taking a stimulant.

Gabapentin may also enhance the euphoric effects of other drugs, like opiates, and is likely to increase the risks when taken in this way.

The Risks

What are the risks?ImpuritiesGetting hooked

What are the risks?

What are the risks of gabapentin?Gabapentin has effects in similar brain pathways to those that are affected by drugs like benzodiazepine.

It can cause dizziness, forgetfulness, drowsiness and confusion, all of which can put you at risk of hurting yourself, especially in certain environments.

Manufactures recommend that when used as a medicine, gabapentin should only be used by women who are breast-feeding if the potential benefits outweigh the risks. They also point out that in animal studies toxicity has been seen during pregnancy.

Gabapentin commonly causes:

Diarrhoea

Constipation

Vomiting and feelings of wanting to vomit

Tremors,

Flatulence

Increases in blood pressure

Trouble sleeping,

Weight gain, and

Feelings of depression, hostility and anxiety

Gabapentin has been associated, rarely, with hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and jaundice (where the skin goes a yellow colour due to liver disease).

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Impurities

It’s likely that most of the gabapentin that is available on the black market has been either stolen from a hospital or pharmacy or stolen (possibly brought) from people who have been prescribed gabapentin. They might have also been imported from abroad.

You cannot normally be sure of the purity unless you are certain that the drug you have is a genuine pharmacy medicine.

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Getting hooked

Can you get addicted to gabapentin?It is recommended that prescribed gabapentin use is not stopped abruptly as it may cause anxiety, insomnia, nausea, pain and sweating.

Is gabapentin illegal?Gabapentin is a prescription only medicine and can only be prescribed following a consultation with a doctor.

Did you know?Like drinking and driving, driving while under the influence of drugs is illegal – with some drugs you can still be unfit to drive the day after using. You can get a heavy fine, be disqualified from driving or even go to prison.